RECIPE TIME

I haven't shared any new recipes in a while...so ready your apron, mixing bowl, and favorite dinner guests!

This recipe is as delicious to eat as it is to serve. Promise!

Tomato-y Shrimp with Zucchini and Pasta
Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 8oz. can tomato sauce (no salt version, if possible)
2 TBS canola oil (divided)
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 bunch fresh basil leaves, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
1 medium-sized zucchini
1 medium-sized yellow summer squash
1 pound raw shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails off)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
Cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce (to taste)
8oz pasta (orecchiette, bow-tie or campanelle)

• Combine tomato sauce, chopped basil, 1 TBS canola oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne. (go light on the cayenne/Tabasco at this point, you can always add more later!)
• If needed, peel, devein, and remove tails from shrimp. Rinse in cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
• Add shrimp to the tomato-basil sauce and stir well, making sure all shrimp is nicely coated in sauce.  Set aside to marinate.
• While the shrimp is marinating, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain when pasta is al dente and set aside for later.
• While pasta is cooking. wash zucchini and squash. Remove stems. Slice squash lengthwise into quarters. Cut into 1/4" thick slices.
• In a large skillet or wide-bottom sauce pan, heat the remaining 1TBS canola oil on medium-high heat. 
• Gently sauté the squash for 1 -2 minutes.
• Add the shrimp-tomato-basil mixture to the squash. Cook for 3 - 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Add the pasta to the shrimp-tomato-basil-squash mixture. Stir well to coat the pasta.
• Cook until all ingredients are hot (1 - 3 minutes more), stirring often.
• Add more cayenne/Tabasco, if desired.
• Garnish with whole basil leaf (optional).

Serve with crusty bread and a mixed greens salad.

Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to extend a delightful Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Husband, and especially all the other Dad's who are not able to be with their children or families today.

A growing tradition in our family is to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day as a weekend event.  Gifts are not generally exchanged, but good food and good company are definitely a must!

Last night we went out to a great little German restaurant so my husband could enjoy some German beer and his favorite German meal (Rouladen) complete with Apple Strudel.

This morning, I'll whip up some blueberry pancakes with sausage. Yum!

As for the rest of the day...it will center around relaxation and good 'ol family time....complete with a game of Monopoly or Clue.

TEX - MEX Casserole

I thought I would start out my recipe sharing with some nice comfort food,  "The casserole."

Tex - Mex Casserole
Ingredients:

4 large flour or wheat tortillas
1 15oz. can of fat-free refried beans
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterrey jack cheese
1 cup chunky salsa, plus 1/2 cup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbs ground cumin
1 Tsp ground coriander
1/2 Tbs lime juice (optional)
1/2 cup corn (optional)
1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
Shredded lettuce, guacamole, diced tomato

I made this recipe using a square 8" x 8" Pyrex pan.  But, if you happen to have an 8" round tall-sided pan, that would work too!

• Mix refried beans, salsa, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, corn, lime juice and olives (if using). Blend in 1/2 of the cheeses (1/4 cup of each) and 1/4 cup of the sour cream.
• Trim the tortillas to fit inside your pan. (To do this, I placed my pan on top of the tortilla and used a pizza cutter to trim off the excess.)
• Spray pan with non-stick spray
• Spread 1/4 cup salsa on the bottom of pan
• Place a tortilla on top of salsa
• Layer about 1/3 of the bean mixture on top of tortilla
• Place tortilla on top of bean mixture
• Repeat bean layer and tortilla layer
• Top final tortilla with the remaining cheeses

Bake 20 - 30 minutes in preheated oven at 350 degrees. Let cool 2 -3 minutes before serving. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce and/or diced tomatoes. Enjoy!

Bonus points for making your own refried beans, tortillas, guacamole, lime juice and/or salsa!!  :)

FOOD

I've never referred to myself as a foodie, but I suppose I am one.  I'm always on the hunt for new and delicious meals and recipes. I dabble in presentation. Mix a few cocktails. I even tried napkin folding....once.

Beginning next week I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite recipes. Try them if you'd like.  Comment if you want.  But most importantly, enjoy the process of cooking!